I was astounded to read a recent Western Union survey that said 60% of people set a holiday budget. What?

That seems awfully high to me, even for savvy spenders like yourself. I’m biased because in June 2009 when I wrote about budgeting for Christmas presents, readers gave me the cyberspace equivalent of a blank stare.

So lets set the record straight.

Do you budget for the holidays? What kind of money saving advice are you looking for this holiday season? The more feedback I get, the better I can help. I’m sorry this poll is so big! I couldn’t figure out how to make it smaller.

Comments

For Christmas, I was setting aside $20 per month for each of my two children and my grandson. We’ve now set a $50 limit per person, so I use the extra money when birthdays, and other special occasions come around. I also save all my silver change and give it to my grandson for his birthday. I set aside $30 per month for the rest of the family & usually have a lot left over at the end of the year.

I buy as I go. That way I’m not bombarded with huge bills. I also use my debit card/cash as much as possible so I’ve nothing or next-to-nothing to pay down.

I tend to go for personalized gifts.

For example, last year I went to zazzle.com and custom-ordered themed coffee mugs for two of my friends, my sister and brother-in-law.

Examples?: My brother-in-law teaches Kung Fu, so I put a martial arts character on the mug along with his name. My friend is a hobby writer so I put a pen on the mug along with the phrase, “write away.”

The mugs were less than $20.00 a piece and the shipping was free.

More important the gift was personalized in the thought that counts kind of way.

Lots of different ways to budget money. One, buy on sale and in Oct., Nov.; Two, use your Coke points, rewards, etc. for gift certificates and regift; Three, buy the best but cheapest item listed for Black Friday sales and JUST GET THAT ONE ITEM; Four, don’t forget consignment shops, sometimes there are new items there too. Budget of $20.00 per person is the consensus around here too. In tough times, squeezing that extra amount in inventive ways is an absolute must!

This year, my husband and I have decided not to exchange gifts with any of the adults in our family (i.e., parents, siblings) – not even a name pick gift exchange. We will buy for our one (1) adult son and for our younger nieces and nephews only.

I spend less than $250 on Christmas for my family. I get deals all year long, then when Black Friday gets here , I just pick up the rest of the stuff I need. Heck this year I will probably only spend about $150-$200. especially with my husband being on unemployment. And with all the deals I get the kids and grandkids still get stuff they love.